Why is NIA seeking Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death certificate? Why doesn’t Canada give it? – First post

In another sign of strained relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, Canada has yet to share the death certificate of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Nijjar was shot and killed by two assailants outside a gurudwara in British Columbia last June.

It became the center of tensions between India and Canada in September 2023, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging the “potential” involvement of Indian authorities in his killing on Canadian soil. India accused Canada of harboring extremists and anti-India elements, rejecting the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated”.

Let’s take a closer look.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, Nijjar moved to Canada as a young man in 1997. There he worked as a plumber, got married and had two sons.

resident in British Columbia,
Nijjar He became a vocal advocate of ‘Khalistan’, a separate homeland for the Sikhs. He became the chief of the separatist organization Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and was “actively involved in the operationalisation, networking, training and financing” of its members, according to the Indian government.

In 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared him a terrorist. Nijjar was linked to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, which is banned in India.

Last February, MHA declared KTF as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Nijjar was 45 when he was shot and killed on June 18, 2023, outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, where he served as president.

NIA’s charges against Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Nijjar was linked to an attack on a Hindu priest in Jalandhar in 2021. NIA announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh to him in 2022 in connection with the case.

Investigators found that Nijjar was making provocative statements and posting objectionable content on social media platforms.

“The incriminating evidence collected proves that he was making sedition and rebellious charges and was also trying to create disharmony among different communities in India,” the NIA said in a document. Indian Express.

India’s counter-terrorism agency had also lodged an FIR against Nijjar, Pannun and Paramjit Singh Pamma in December 2020 during farmers’ protests against the Centre’s three farm laws, accusing them of conspiring to create an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness and causing discontent among people. and inciting people to rebel against the government of India.

Canada ‘refuses’ to issue Nijjar’s death certificate

An NIA official said Canada is yet to share Nijjar’s death certificate and asked the agency to give a reason for seeking the document.

“Instead of sharing the death certificate, they asked us ‘why do you need this?'” a senior officer was quoted as saying. Hindustan Times.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper that the NIA had sought a death certificate from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to update court records in several ongoing cases against Nijjar.

The death certificate was reportedly requested about six months ago, and Canada asked why a few months ago.

“There are two cases registered with the NIA in which Nijjar has been named as one of the accused. To complete the documentation exercise of the case files, the investigating officer has to produce his (Nijjar’s) death certificate to the Delhi court and hence the death certificate from the Canadian government under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) “They asked him to share the document. But instead of sharing it, they asked him why and now the answers will be sent to them,” he said. Indian Express.

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India’s strained ties with Canada

In September 2023, Prime Minister Trudeau told the House of Commons that there were “credible allegations” about the Indian government’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder.

India denied the accusations and maintained:
Canada So far, he has not provided “a shred of evidence” to support his claims.

Last week, as relations between the two sides deteriorated further, Trudeau admitted that he did not have “hard evidence” but only intelligence when making the allegations against the Indian government in September 2023.

“I have been informed that there is intelligence from Canada and possibly its Five Eyes allies that makes it quite clear, incredibly clear, that India was involved… Government of India agents were involved in the murder of a Canadian. on Canadian soil,” he said while testifying before the public inquiry into foreign interference in federal election processes and democratic institutions.

In the latest flare-up, both countries expelled each other’s top diplomats. For now, the bonds are downgraded. Only time will tell when India-Canada relations will get back on track.

With input from agencies